Tose that are towing a double trailer not using a 4x4 - what are you using ??

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wallykissmas

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I'm on the hunt for something to tow with, cheap and to possibly use as my full time car otherwise we will end up with three cars.

So if you not using a 4x4 , what are you using.

Would also be interested in those that are using older 4x4's what your using and if they cost a lot in maintance.

I will mostly be towing with one horse, short cobby but then would like to be able to offer a friend a lift as when needed. Trailer test has been passed so weight isn't an issue as such.
 
Blimey! Take cover if you're going to get a non-4x4! :D

I have a Ford Focus 1.8 TDi and half consider towing the horse with that but mention it to any horsey person and they rip you to shreds! Mention it to someone who tows a caravan full of food, clothes, water for drink shower and toilet and they don't see an issue. . .
 
Whoopit said:
I have a Ford Focus 1.8 TDi and half consider towing the horse with that but mention it to any horsey person and they rip you to shreds! Mention it to someone who tows a caravan full of food, clothes, water for drink shower and toilet and they don't see an issue. . .
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Because this is illegal. If you own the estate version which is the heaviest, it has a kerb weight of 1317kg, an 85% recommended towing weight of 1119kg and a maximum permissible tow weight of 1300kg.

If you have a single trailer you might get away with it but an Ifor Williams weighs 950kg plus a horse, this is well over the limits!!!!
 
Mitchyden said:
Because this is illegal. If you own the estate version which is the heaviest, it has a kerb weight of 1317kg, an 85% recommended towing weight of 1119kg and a maximum permissible tow weight of 1300kg.

If you have a single trailer you might get away with it but an Ifor Williams weighs 950kg plus a horse, this is well over the limits!!!!
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I think you are getting confused with the advice given to newbies towing caravans as they are the only ones who have anything to do with the 85% of kerbweight advice

For all other types of trailer the manufacturers recommended towing capacity is the safest option to tow by

So - what is the towing capacity given for the vehicle that is being used to tow with?
 
I have an audi A6 2.7 tdi quattro. If that means anything to you. It tows very well - much better than my old volvo and it's a nice family car.

Didn't realise it was so controvertial :)
 
ROG, how long is a piece of string ....... Basically I would like something that doesn't drink like its going out of fashion, tax isn't £450 pa and I could use it as an everyday car instead of just towing and thus us having to have 3 cars which I think is too much.

OH has a BMW 318 but I haven't a clue if I can tow with it ? I can borrow a freelander but from reading they won't tow two horses, and also can borrow a vectra but haven't a clue if it can tow. Think I might make some phones calls a d come back .

Really I'm guessing it would need to be an estate of some sort ?
 
ROG said:
I found other sites that back you up on that 1300 :)

I will not state something is either 'legal' or 'illegal' before making certain of the facts as it could easily confuse others
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Which other sites do you use because I couldn't find any others? I found this helpful when I was trading in my Discovery for another 4 x 4 but it's not an up to date site.
 
I have an elderly land rover 90 I use on a daily basis for everything. 1988 vintage.
Tax is £220 per year.
Depreciation a big fat zero I would guess. MPG about 30.
Maintenance - I've spent £500 on it in the last year. £300 of that to get it through its MOT, £180 for a service and some minor repairs. So not a lot. You do need to have a good mechanic though, preferably a Land Rover enthusiast. So many mechanics out there that will smile sweetly at you whilst charging you at least 3 times what they should do, and still not fix the damn thing.

I should add it's hopeless on motorways, it can't go fast enough (sustain 50mph) with the trailer on the back up hills, so I have to go on A roads. It doesn't matter much for what we do with the trailer, but it might for you.

Pretty cheap motoring, but not sure how much longer it will remain so. Will have to see what the verdict is at this year's MOT... I could be looking at a new bulkhead and new engine, so maybe time to get a new one.

I also tow with a Volvo. Very good, but I can only have one pony in the trailer (max towing capacity 1800kg) It pulls better than the Land Rover, but now I am experienced at towing, I do feel the trailer pushing the Volvo along sometimes.
 
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wallykissmas said:
ROG, how long is a piece of string ....... Basically I would like something that doesn't drink like its going out of fashion, tax isn't £450 pa and I could use it as an everyday car instead of just towing and thus us having to have 3 cars which I think is too much.

OH has a BMW 318 but I haven't a clue if I can tow with it ? I can borrow a freelander but from reading they won't tow two horses, and also can borrow a vectra but haven't a clue if it can tow. Think I might make some phones calls a d come back .

Really I'm guessing it would need to be an estate of some sort ?
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Firstly check what actual weight (towing capacity) the vehicle has been designed to tow and then work out the empty weight of the trailer plus the load/horse(s) that will be going into it.

If the design towing capacity states it will pull that weight then it SHOULD and if it does not then the manufacturers need a kick up the backside !!

What can also make a difference is the WAY in which the towing vehicle handles when towing for example a short vehicle towing a long trailer will handle very differently from a long vehicle towing a short trailer etc etc

A higher vehicle such as a 4x4 will mean there is less wind drag on the trailer especially on a high trailer like a horsebox

The type of ground to be driven over is another issue which might need to be taken into consideration

To conclude -

Taking out neddy in a horsebox trailer for a few miles in good conditions over tarmac using a 2wd car will be safe enough

Taking out neddy for many miles over all sort of terrain in all sorts of conditions will be much safer using something with 4wd and more stability
 
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Mitchyden said:
Which other sites do you use because I couldn't find any others? I found this helpful when I was trading in my Discovery for another 4 x 4 but it's not an up to date site.
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for my last answer I put this into a google search -
Ford Focus 1.8 TDi kgs kerb gvw towing

That brings up many sites that have the info many of which are sites selling such vehicles that have the specification/dimensions tabs

ADD - the Cuddles site has been specifically designed to give the 85% advice for newbie caravanners BUT is great for getting the towing capacities of many vehicles which can be used for other types of trailer
 
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For towing capacity weights, parkers guide website, reviews and the facts and figures section is a good bet because it breaks it down into each model. Ie a 00-07 plate Toyota avensis 1.6 petrol night have a different capacity to the 1.6 diesel, or to the 96-00 1.6 petrol etc, but the parkers website will enable you to find the exact weight.
 
OP - as I said, it can cause some folk to get all accusaational about what you should and shouldn't be doing without actually knowing anything about either the trailer you intend to use or the proportions of your steed or for that matter, your common sense! :D
 
I tow with a Audi avant a4tdi automatic 2.0 and its performs perfectly well on the roads around Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset. I am not stupid so fields are a definite no no. I can put two small horses in my trailer as capacity is 1800. Trailer is 950. However I don't have two small horses, just one big one so that is its load plus or minus some tack. I also have a BE licence but not that it matters now, I got that to tow with my Nissan Patrol which is just awesome but long story as to why I do not have it. Fuel when towing is 25mpg. Not awful. Not towing 44mpg give or take and most of my driving is blasting on the motorways.
 
It would help if the OP let us know exactly what they will be wanting to do with the vehicle such as what type of surfaces they will be driving on etc

How many miles will they need to travel each trip on average because if all they want to do is to tow for 5 miles on tarmac every other weekend for example then all they need is a vehicle to cope with that
 
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